Real Estate Updates from Catherine

During the first week of January, I got the opportunity to tour the Five Star Premier Residences of Chevy Chase. It’s located on Connecticut Avenue, just inside the beltway. Cindy Miller, a sales counselor there, was my able tour guide. Cindy has worked at Five Star for more than 22 years!

Five Star is a high-rise apartment building with one floor of assisted-living apartments, and the rest independent-living apartments. The independent-living floors have four different floor plans to choose from- a one bedroom, a one bedroom with study, a one bedroom with den, or a two bedroom apartment. Despite its location close to the city, many of the apartments have gorgeous wooded views of the property, or of their neighbor, Columbia County Club. Five Star is a leasing community—rates currently run from around 4,000 a month up to about 7,700 a month, depending on the size of the apartment. There’s a one-time community fee (currently $4000), when you move in. As with most senior leasing communities, residents can choose to move out with only 30 days notice.

Five Star has many different amenities located in the building. There is underground parking, an indoor pool, a beauty salon, a convenience store, an arts studio, a fitness center, and more! There’s a health center where doctors and physical therapists make regular visits to see residents. Independent Living has 24-hour concierge service available, and bi-weekly linen service and housekeeping. In order to make sure their independent living residents are safe, there are motion detectors in each apartment, as well as pull cords. Residents can also wear a pendant that has a button to push if they need help. Breakfast and dinner are provided daily to all residents in Five Star’s lovely dining room. Residents can also purchase lunch there, or choose to make their own lunch (as each apartment has a full kitchen). There is also a full calendar of activities and trips so that residents have lots of options for things to do.

The indoor pool at Five Star

Assisted Living is one floor in the building, and is generally filled by residents who need to move there from independent living. Assisted living residents can no longer live on their own safely, but also do not require complex, round-the-clock medical care. They are provided with assistance with the activities of daily life, such as personal care, transportation, and medication reminders.

A unique option that Five Star offers is a chance to try out life there without making a commitment. They have a couple different furnished apartments available for someone that might want to come and live there for a month to see if it’s for them. The person can stay for a month (and pay the month’s rent), and then decide if they’d like to move there permanently. I’ve met so many people who have a loved one who they think would be happier in a senior residence, but their loved one is reluctant to give up everything they know for the unknown. This is a great way to give someone a taste of life in this community without them having to make an immediate commitment.

Finally, I should mention that I got to have lunch in the dining room, and the food was delicious. I had a greek salad and a brownie sundae(!) but there were many options available. Five Star’s head chef formerly was a chef at Jaleo in the District.

For more information or to schedule a tour, please go to www.fivestarpremier-chevychase.com or call 301-915-9217. Or, if you’re thinking of downsizing and just want to discuss your options, feel free to contact me!